Abbey School

Abbey School has effectively continued to uphold the high standards recognized during its previous inspection. The leadership team has an ambitious vision, ensuring that all pupils are well-prepared for their future education and careers. The school's curriculum is meticulously tailored to cater to the individual needs of each pupil, fostering an environment where pupils can thrive and achieve their potential. The emphasis on personal development is also notable, with pupils engaging in various activities that promote their social skills and community involvement.

Strengths

• High aspirations for all pupils with no restrictions on expected achievements.
• Strong support systems in place to cater to pupils' complex needs.
• Exceptional planning of the curriculum to meet individual pupil needs.
• Effective communication strategies embedded in the learning process.
• Commitment to fostering a love of reading among pupils.
• Robust personal development programs that instill values of respect and tolerance.

In 2024–25 pupils at Abbey School attended 92.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 23.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Abbey School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Abbey School had 7.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 17.6% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Abbey School had 238 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs; autistic spectrum disorder; other difficulty or disability.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Abbey School received £21,817 and spent £21,479 for each of its 234 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £842,000 (£3,597 per pupil).

Across all 18 schools of Nexus Multi Academy Trust, income was £26,093 and spending £25,319 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

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All schools in Rotherham · Rotherham local authority: places and applications

Abbey School is part of Nexus Multi Academy Trust, which runs 22 schools. The nearest others:

• Kelford School Rotherham
• Lotus Academy Sheffield
• Seven Hills School Sheffield
• Willow Park School Sheffield
• Discovery Academy Sheffield
• Kenwood Academy Sheffield
• Kingfisher Academy Sheffield
• The Willows School Rotherham
• West Riding Academy Barnsley
• Pennine View School Doncaster

What is Abbey School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Abbey School is Outstanding, from an inspection in May 2025.

When was Abbey School last inspected by Ofsted?

Abbey School was last inspected in May 2025.

How many pupils does Abbey School have?

Abbey School has 238 pupils on roll.

What age range does Abbey School cover?

Abbey School for pupils aged 5 to 19.

What are Abbey School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Abbey School?

Abbey School is at Little Common Lane, Kimberworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S61 2RA.